JP2011228893A - Device and method of facsimile transmission permission - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and method of facsimile transmission permission which can prevent an outsider from using a facsimile.SOLUTION: A facsimile transmission permission device 1 according to the present invention comprises: an information analysis unit 11; a time determination unit 12; and a transmission determination unit 13. The information analysis unit 11 obtains first time information which is attached to at least one of document data or transmission slip data. The time determination unit 12 performs time determination based on transmission time of document data and the first time information. The transmission determination unit 13 determines whether the document data is transmittable based on the determination result from time determination means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile transmission permission apparatus and method, and more particularly to a facsimile transmission permission apparatus and method for controlling transmission processing of a facsimile apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, facsimile machines that allow a sender to register a destination address (FAX number or e-mail address) on a one-touch button have been used. Such a facsimile apparatus transmits a document to a transmission destination when the one-touch button is pressed. Since there is no need to directly input a destination every time transmission is performed, convenience during transmission is enhanced.

  On the other hand, in the facsimile apparatus as described above, anyone can easily perform facsimile transmission. Therefore, there is a possibility that an outsider abuses the facsimile machine. For example, when an outsider who aims to steal a confidential document enters the floor where the multifunction device is installed, the confidential document may be transmitted to the outside using the facsimile function of the multifunction device.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 discloses a technique for having a senior manager approve a delivery slip in which transmission destination information is described and transmitting the delivery slip together with a transmission document by facsimile. The transmission data is transmitted to the facsimile server. When the transmission data arrives at the facsimile server, the operator of the management center of the facsimile server compares the transmission destination information described in the delivery slip with the transmission data transmission destination information. The operator confirms that these pieces of transmission destination information match and transmits to the transmission destination.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-26883 discloses a multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function that is based on a cover sheet to which a QR code storing information related to transmission (code type, transmission source FAX number, transmission destination FAX number, reception log number) is added. Is disclosed. Specifically, the multi-function peripheral reads a cover sheet and a document, and transmits the read image to the management apparatus. The management device extracts information related to transmission from the QR code. Then, the management apparatus collates the FAX number registered in the address book with the extracted transmission destination FAX number, and when the extracted transmission destination FAX number is registered, FAX transmission is permitted.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a technique in which a facsimile apparatus reads a barcode indicating a transmission destination FAX number attached to a document and compares the read FAX number with a FAX number input to the facsimile apparatus. When these FAX numbers match, the facsimile apparatus transmits a document.

JP 2007-96385 A JP 2007-325168 A JP 2007-60284 A

  However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a case where an outsider makes a delivery slip (or a cover letter) in which information of a destination is stored, or when an outsider obtains a delivery slip, An outsider can use the facsimile by using the delivery slip. For this reason, once the delivery slip reaches the outsider's hand, the outsider cannot prevent facsimile transmission. In the technique described in Patent Document 3, when an outsider adds a barcode to a document, the outsider's use of the facsimile apparatus cannot be prevented.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile transmission permission apparatus and method capable of preventing use of a facsimile by an outsider.

  The facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to the present invention includes an information analysis unit that acquires first time information attached to at least one of document data and delivery slip data, a transmission time of the document data, and the first time information. And a transmission determination unit that determines whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on a determination result of the time determination unit.

  The facsimile transmission permission method according to the present invention includes an information analysis step of acquiring first time information attached to at least one of document data and delivery slip data, a transmission time of the document data, and the first time information. And a transmission determination step of determining whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on a determination result of the time determination means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a facsimile transmission permission apparatus and method that can prevent the use of a facsimile by an outsider.

1 is a block diagram of a facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile system according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the facsimile system according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is a block diagram of the Internet FAX system concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of registering a mail address according to the second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the Internet FAX system according to the second exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of mail transfer according to the second exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an Internet FAX transmission control process according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows QR code attached | subjected to the delivery slip. It is a figure which shows the notification of a determination result in case a determination result is OK. It is a figure which shows the notification of a determination result in case a determination result is NG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an Internet FAX system according to a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the Internet FAX system according to the third exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of creating a permission delivery slip according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an Internet FAX transmission control process according to the third embodiment.

Embodiment 1
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile transmission permission apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The facsimile transmission permission apparatus 1 includes an information analysis unit 11, a time determination unit 12, and a transmission determination unit 13.

  The information analysis unit 11 acquires time information attached to at least one of the document data and the sending slip data. The manuscript data and the sending slip data mean image data of the manuscript and the sending slip. Further, the time information means the creation time (or printing time) of the original or the delivery slip. The original means a document to be sent to the transmission destination. A delivery slip means a document attached to a manuscript and describing the contents of the attached manuscript, the name and destination of the destination, and the like.

  The time determination unit 12 performs time determination based on the transmission time of the document data and the time information. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the transmission time of the document data is within a predetermined time from the creation time. Then, the time determination unit 12 notifies the transmission determination unit 13 of the determination result. When the time determination unit 12 determines that the transmission time is within a predetermined time from the creation time, the transmission determination unit 13 determines that the document data can be transmitted.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the multifunction device 90 and the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 1 are connected. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile system including the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 1 and the multifunction device 90. First, the user attaches a delivery slip to a document and causes the MFP 90 to execute facsimile transmission processing. The scanner unit 92 reads a document to be transmitted and a delivery slip, and generates document data and delivery slip data (hereinafter referred to as transmission data) (step S101). The scanner unit 92 transmits the generated delivery form data to the information analysis unit 11 (step S102). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the destination address and time information are attached to the delivery slip. Of course, if no delivery slip is used, time information may be attached to the document. The scanner unit 92 also transmits the transmission data to the FAX transmission / reception unit 91.

  Next, the information analysis unit 11 analyzes and acquires the creation time of the delivery slip attached to the delivery slip data (step S103). The information analysis unit 11 transmits the creation time of the acquired delivery slip to the time determination unit 12. The time determination unit 12 compares the time when the facsimile transmission process of the multifunction device 90 was performed (transmission time) with the creation time of the delivery slip. The time determination unit 12 determines whether or not the facsimile transmission process is within a predetermined time from the creation time of the delivery slip (step S104).

  Further, when the time determination unit 12 determines that the time determination unit 12 is within the predetermined time, the transmission determination unit 13 transmits a transmission permission signal to the FAX transmission / reception unit 91 (step S105). When the FAX transmission / reception unit 91 receives the transmission permission signal, the FAX transmission / reception unit 91 transmits the document data received from the scanner unit 92 to the destination described in the sending slip data (step S106). Thereby, transmission of the document data to the transmission destination is completed.

  On the other hand, if the time determination unit 12 determines that it is outside the predetermined time, the transmission determination unit 13 transmits a transmission prohibition signal to the FAX transmission / reception unit 91 (step S107). When the FAX transmission / reception unit 91 receives the transmission prohibition signal, the FAX transmission / reception unit 91 stops the transmission process and discards the document data (step S108). That is, the document data is not transmitted to the transmission destination.

  As described above, in the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the time determination unit 12 performs the determination based on the transmission time and the time information of the delivery slip. Then, the transmission determination unit 13 determines whether the document data can be transmitted based on the determination result of the time determination unit 12. For this reason, facsimile transmission cannot be performed using a delivery form that has been created for a predetermined time. Therefore, even if the delivery slip is stolen by an outsider, the outsider cannot perform facsimile transmission using the delivery slip if a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, it is possible to prevent outsiders from using the facsimile apparatus.

  Here, the time information is not limited to the creation time of the manuscript or the delivery slip. For example, a time limit for transmission, that is, an expiration date may be used as the time information. In this case, the time determination unit 12 determines whether or not the transmission time is within the expiration date regardless of the creation time. In addition, a transmittable time zone (valid period) may be used as time information. In this case, the time determination unit 12 determines whether or not the transmission time is within the valid period. The transmission determination unit 13 permits transmission of document data when the time determination unit 12 determines that it is within the validity period or when it is determined that it is within the validity period. On the other hand, if the time determination unit 12 determines that the expiration date has passed or it is determined that it is outside the effective period, the transmission determination unit 13 prohibits transmission of the document data to which the delivery slip data is attached. To do.

Embodiment 2
A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, an example in which Internet FAX is used is shown. FIG. 4 is a configuration example of the Internet FAX system according to the present embodiment. The Internet FAX system shown in FIG. 4 includes a multifunction peripheral 100, a terminal PC (Personal Computer) 200, an electronic mail transfer apparatus 300, and an Internet FAX transmission control apparatus 400.

  The multifunction machine 100 includes an Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101, a scanner unit 102, and a printer unit 103. The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101 transmits / receives an Internet FAX. The scanner unit 102 scans a document and a delivery slip. The printer unit 103 executes print processing. The terminal PC 200 includes a WEB browser unit 201 that accesses various setting units.

  The e-mail transfer apparatus 300 includes an e-mail transmission / reception unit 301, an e-mail transfer determination unit 302, an e-mail transfer setting reception unit 303, and a transfer e-mail address information storage unit 304. The e-mail transmission / reception unit 301 transmits / receives e-mail. The e-mail transfer determination unit 302 determines whether the received mail is a mail to be transferred to the Internet FAX transmission control apparatus 400. The e-mail transfer setting reception unit 303 registers a mail address to be transferred to the Internet FAX transmission control device 400. The forwarding mail address information storage unit 304 stores information on the mail address to be transferred to the Internet FAX transmission control device 400.

  The Internet FAX transmission control device 400 includes a facsimile transmission permission device 2, a system setting unit 420 that performs system settings and creation of a delivery slip, and an Internet FAX transmission destination information storage unit 401 that stores Internet FAX transmission destination information.

  In addition to the information analysis unit 11 and the time determination unit 12, the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment includes an Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21, a system control unit 22, a delivery slip deletion unit 23, a determination result notification creation unit 24, a transmission A destination determination unit 25 is provided. Note that the configurations of the information analysis unit 11 and the time determination unit 12 are the same as those of the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 1, and thus description thereof is omitted. The system control unit 22 corresponds to the transmission determination unit 13 of the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG.

  The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 performs Internet FAX transmission / reception. The system control unit 22 controls each unit of the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 2. In addition, the system control unit 22 determines whether document data can be transmitted. The sending slip deletion unit 23 deletes the sending slip data attached to the document data. The determination result notification creation unit 24 creates a determination result notification. The transmission destination determination unit 25 determines whether or not the input transmission destination matches the transmission destination attached to the delivery slip data.

  The system setting unit 420 includes a system setting receiving unit 421 and a delivery form creation unit 422. The system setting reception unit 421 is accessible from the terminal PC 200, and searches for a registered Internet FAX transmission destination or registers a new Internet FAX transmission destination. The sending slip creation unit 422 creates a sending slip.

  Next, an operation example of the Internet FAX system shown in FIG. 4 will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, processing necessary for the operation of the Internet FAX transmission control apparatus 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the administrator user registers the electronic mail address of the multifunction peripheral 100 as the forward mail address of the electronic mail transfer apparatus 300. By performing the registration process shown in FIG. 5, the transmission data transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 100 via the Internet FAX is transferred to the Internet FAX transmission control device 400. Here, the administrator user refers to a person who has an account that can log in to the e-mail transfer apparatus 300.

  The administrator user checks the e-mail address of the multifunction device 100 (step S201). The administrator user opens the WEB browser unit 201 of the terminal PC 200 (step S202). The administrator user accesses the e-mail transfer setting reception unit 303 of the e-mail transfer apparatus 300 (step S203). The administrator user performs user authentication and logs in to the e-mail transfer setting reception unit 303 (step S204). The administrator user registers the electronic mail address of the MFP 100 in the transfer mail address information storage unit 304 (step S205).

  Next, a detailed description will be given of an operation in which a sender who transmits a document normally finishes transmission of the Internet FAX (the determination result of the system control unit 22 is OK). FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the entire Internet FAX system shown in FIG. First, the sender opens the WEB browser unit 201 of the terminal PC 200 (step S301). The sender accesses the system setting reception unit 421 of the Internet FAX transmission control device 400 (step S302). The sender performs user authentication and logs in to the system setting reception unit 421 (step S303). The sender refers to the Internet FAX destination information storage unit 401 and confirms whether destination information is registered (step S304). If not registered, information on the transmission destination is registered (step S305). Here, the destination information refers to the destination address and the destination e-mail address.

  Then, the sender sends the destination information to the delivery form creation unit 422, and the delivery form creation unit 422 creates a delivery form (step S306). When the delivery form is created by the delivery form creation unit 422, the printer unit 103 prints the delivery form (step S307). A serial number and time information corresponding to the transmission destination are attached to the delivery slip. It is assumed that the serial number and time information corresponding to the transmission destination are described in a form that can be read by the machine using code analysis (for example, a barcode or a QR code). FIG. 9 shows an example of a QR code delivery form. The sender inputs the destination e-mail address to the multi-function device 100 (step S308). The sender attaches the printed delivery slip to the beginning of the transmission document (original) and causes the scanner section 102 to scan the delivery slip and the original (step S309). At this time, these documents become transmission data (original data and delivery slip data). The sender transmits the transmission data by Internet FAX. (Step S310).

  Next, details of the Internet FAX transfer process (step S311) will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the e-mail transmission / reception unit 301 of the e-mail transfer apparatus 300 receives transmission data transmitted from the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101 via the Internet FAX (step S401). The e-mail transmission / reception unit 301 receives transmission data as one of e-mails. The e-mail transmission / reception unit 301 sends the e-mail address of the transmission data transmission source to the e-mail transfer determination unit 302.

  The e-mail transfer determination unit 302 determines whether or not the e-mail address of the transmission data is registered in the transfer e-mail address information storage unit 304 (step S402). Here, since registration has been performed first, it is determined that registration has been performed. The e-mail transfer determination unit 302 instructs the e-mail transmission / reception unit 301 to transfer the transmission data to the Internet FAX transmission control apparatus 400. The e-mail transmission / reception unit 301 transfers the transmission data to the Internet FAX transmission control device 400 by Internet FAX (Step S403).

  On the other hand, when the e-mail transfer determination unit 302 determines that the e-mail address of the transmission data is not registered in the transfer e-mail address information storage unit 304, the received e-mail is a normal e-mail. Therefore, the e-mail transfer determination unit 302 instructs the e-mail transmission / reception unit 301 to execute a normal e-mail transfer process (step S404).

  Next, the Internet FAX transmission control process (step S312) in FIG. 6 will be described in detail using the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 of the Internet FAX transmission control apparatus 400 receives the transmission data transferred by the electronic mail transfer apparatus 300 (step S501). The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 sends transmission data to the system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 sends the attached image of the transmission data to the information analysis unit 11.

  The information analysis unit 11 confirms whether or not the first page image of the transmission data is a delivery slip (step S502) (confirmation item 1). Here, the information analysis unit 11 determines that it is a delivery slip, and sets confirmation item 1 as OK. The information analysis unit 11 performs code analysis and reads the serial number corresponding to the transmission destination described in the transmission slip of the transmission data and the time when the transmission slip was created (step S503). The information analysis unit 11 sends to the system control unit 22 the confirmation item 1 is OK, the serial number corresponding to the transmission destination, and the time when the delivery slip is created.

  The system control unit 22 sends a serial number corresponding to the transmission destination and an electronic mail address of the transmission destination to the transmission destination determination unit 25. Further, the system control unit 22 sends the time when the delivery slip is created to the time determination unit 12. The transmission destination determination unit 25 sends a serial number corresponding to the transmission destination to the Internet FAX transmission destination information storage unit 401. Then, the Internet FAX transmission destination information storage unit 401 searches the memory for transmission destination information corresponding to the serial number, and sends the transmission destination information to the transmission destination determination unit 25. The destination determination unit 25 checks whether or not the email address of the acquired destination information matches the email address of the destination input by the sender (step S504) (confirmation item 2). Here, the transmission destination determination unit 25 determines that they match, and sets confirmation item 2 to OK. Then, the transmission destination determination unit 25 sends the determination result to the system control unit 22.

  On the other hand, the time determination unit 12 compares the current time (transmission time) with the time when the delivery slip is created, and checks whether it is within the valid period (step S505) (confirmation item 3). Here, the time determination unit 12 determines that it is within the valid period, and sets the confirmation item 3 as OK. Then, the time determination unit 12 sends the determination result to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 confirms that the received confirmation items 1 to 3 are all OK, and sets the determination result to OK (step S506). The determination result indicates the determination result of the transmission control process. The system control unit 22 sends the transmission data to the delivery slip deletion unit 23. The sending slip deletion unit 23 deletes the sending slip data from the transmission data (step S507). The data from which the delivery slip data has been deleted is referred to as updated transmission data. The sending slip deletion unit 23 sends the updated transmission data to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 sends the updated transmission data sent from the delivery slip deletion unit 23 to the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21. Then, the system control unit 22 instructs the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 to transmit the updated transmission data to the transmission destination of the transmission data via the Internet FAX. At this time, the system control unit 22 stores the current time as the transmission time.

  The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 transmits the updated transmission data to the transmission destination via the Internet FAX (Step S508). Through this transmission process, the original data is actually sent to the transmission destination. The system control unit 22 sends the determination result OK, confirmation items 1 to 3 OK, the transmission source email address of the transmission data, the transmission destination email address of the transmission data, and the transmission time to the determination result notification creation unit 24.

  The determination result notification creation unit 24 creates a determination result notification (step S511). FIG. 10A shows determination result notification when the determination result is OK. The determination result notification creation unit 24 sends a determination result notification to the system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 sends a determination result notification to the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 and instructs the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 to transmit to the transmission source of the transmission data via the Internet FAX. The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 transmits the determination result notification to the MFP 100 that is the transmission data transmission source by Internet FAX (step S512).

  When the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101 receives the determination result notification, the printer unit 103 of the multifunction peripheral 100 prints the received data (determination result notification). The sender confirms that the determination result is OK and ends the transmission work (step S313).

  Next, details of an operation in which the sender terminates the Internet FAX transmission abnormally (when the determination result in FIG. 8 is NG (step S509)) will be described. First, a case will be described in which the determination result NG is caused by the fact that the top image in the transmission data is not a delivery slip (confirmation item 1 is NG). Note that the steps up to step S501 in FIG.

  The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 of the Internet FAX transmission control apparatus 400 receives the transmission data transferred from the electronic mail transfer apparatus 300 (step S501). The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 sends transmission data to the system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 sends the transmission data to the information analysis unit 11. The information analysis unit 11 confirms whether or not the first page image of the transmission data is a delivery slip (step S502) (confirmation item 1). Here, the information analysis unit 11 determines that the first page image is not the delivery form data, and sets the confirmation item 1 to NG. The information analysis unit 11 sends the result that the confirmation item 1 is NG to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 confirms that the confirmation item 1 is NG, and sets the determination result to NG (step S509). The system control unit 22 instructs the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 to discard the transmission data. The Internet FAX transmitting / receiving unit 21 discards the transmission data (step S510). The system control unit 22 sends the determination result NG, the confirmation item 1NG, the transmission source email address of the transmission data, and the transmission destination email address of the transmission data to the determination result notification creation unit 24. The determination result notification creation unit 24 creates a determination result notification (step S511). FIG. 10B shows notification of a determination result when the determination result is NG. The determination result notification creation unit 24 sends a determination result notification to the system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 sends a determination result notification to the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21. Then, the system control unit 22 instructs the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 to transmit the transmission data to the transmission source via the Internet FAX. The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 transmits the determination result notification to the MFP 100 that is the transmission data transmission source by Internet FAX (step S512).

  When the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101 receives the determination result notification, the printer unit 103 of the multifunction peripheral 100 prints the received data (determination result notification). The sender confirms that the determination result is NG, confirms the cause from the determination result notification, and starts again from step S301 (step S313).

  Next, a mismatch (confirmation item 2 is NG) between the e-mail address corresponding to the serial number corresponding to the transmission destination described in the delivery slip and the e-mail address of the transmission destination of the transmission data causes the determination result NG. The case will be described. Since the normal transmission operation up to step S503 in FIG. 8 is the same as the normal operation described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  The information analysis unit 11 determines that the first page of the transmission data is the delivery form data, and sets the confirmation item 1 as OK. The information analysis unit 11 performs code analysis to acquire the serial number corresponding to the transmission destination described in the transmission slip of the transmission data and the time when the delivery slip was created (step S503). The information analysis unit 11 sends the confirmation item 1 OK, the serial number corresponding to the transmission destination, and the time when the delivery slip is created to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 sends a serial number corresponding to the transmission destination and an electronic mail address of the transmission destination to the transmission destination determination unit 25. Further, the system control unit 22 sends the time when the delivery slip is created to the time determination unit 12. The transmission destination determination unit 25 sends a serial number corresponding to the transmission destination to the Internet FAX transmission destination information storage unit 401. Then, the Internet FAX transmission destination information storage unit 401 searches the memory for transmission destination information corresponding to the serial number, and sends the transmission destination information to the transmission destination determination unit 25. The transmission destination determination unit 25 checks whether or not the acquired electronic mail address of the transmission destination information matches the electronic mail address of the transmission destination of the transmission data (step S504) (confirmation item 2). Here, the transmission destination determination unit 25 determines that they do not match, and sets the confirmation item 2 to NG. The transmission destination determination unit 25 sends the confirmation item 2NG to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 confirms that the confirmation item 2 is NG, and sets the determination result to NG (step S509). The system control unit 22 instructs the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 to discard the transmission data. The Internet FAX transmitting / receiving unit 21 discards the transmission data (step S510). The system control unit 22 sends the determination result NG, the confirmation item 1 OK, the confirmation item 2 NG, the transmission source email address of the transmission data, and the transmission destination email address of the transmission data to the determination result notification creation unit 24. The determination result notification creation unit 24 creates a determination result notification (step S511). The determination result notification creation unit 24 sends a determination result notification to the system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 sends a determination result notification to the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21. Then, the system control unit 22 instructs the transmission source of the transmission data to transmit by Internet FAX. The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 transmits the determination result notification to the MFP 100 that is the transmission data transmission source by Internet FAX (step S512).

  When the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101 receives the determination result notification, the printer unit 103 of the multifunction peripheral 100 prints the received data (determination result notification). The sender confirms that the determination result is NG, confirms the cause from the determination result notification, and starts again from step S301 (step S313).

  Finally, a case will be described where the current time and the time at which the delivery slip described in the delivery slip is created are not within the valid period (confirmation item 3 is NG), which causes the determination result NG. Since the normal transmission operation up to step S504 in FIG. 8 is the same as the normal operation described above, the description thereof is omitted.

  The transmission destination determination unit 25 determines that the electronic mail address of the acquired transmission destination information matches the electronic mail address of the transmission data transmission destination, and sets the confirmation item 2 to OK. Then, the transmission destination determination unit 25 sends the determination result to the system control unit 22.

  Next, the time determination unit 12 compares the current time with the time when the delivery slip is created, and checks whether it is within the valid time (step S505) (confirmation item 3). Here, the time determination unit 12 determines that it is not within the valid time, and sets the confirmation item 3 as NG. The time determination unit 12 sends the confirmation item 3NG to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 confirms that the confirmation item 3 is NG, and sets the determination result to NG (step S509). The system control unit 22 instructs the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 to discard the transmission data. The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 discards the transmission data (step S510). The system control unit 22 sends the determination result NG, the confirmation item 1 OK, the confirmation item 2 OK, the confirmation item 3 NG, the transmission source email address of the transmission data, and the transmission destination email address of the transmission data to the determination result notification creation unit 24. The determination result notification creation unit 24 creates a determination result notification (step S511). The determination result notification creation unit 24 sends a determination result notification to the system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 passes the determination result notification to the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 and instructs the transmission source of the transmission data to transmit by Internet FAX. The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 transmits the determination result notification to the MFP 100 that is the transmission data transmission source by Internet FAX (step S512).

  When the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101 receives the determination result notification, the printer unit 103 of the multifunction peripheral 100 prints the received data (determination result notification). The sender confirms that the determination result is NG, confirms the cause from the determination result notification, and starts again from step S301 (step S313).

  As described above, the facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the transmission time is within the valid period based on the creation time of the delivery form and the valid period of the delivery form. If it is within the valid period, Internet FAX transmission is permitted. Therefore, even if the delivery slip is in the hands of an outsider, the outsider's use of the facsimile machine can be prevented.

  Further, the information analysis unit 11 confirms whether or not the top image data of the transmission data is the delivery form data (confirmation item 1). Therefore, even when an outsider obtains a sending slip and transmits it within the valid period, the information analysis unit 11 performs analysis of the sending slip data if the sending slip is not attached to the head of the document. do not do. That is, the document data is not transmitted. Therefore, the effect of preventing outsiders from using the facsimile apparatus is improved. The predetermined attachment position of the delivery slip is not limited to the top of the document.

  Further, the transmission destination determination unit 25 determines whether or not the transmission destination address input to the MFP 100 by the sender matches the transmission destination email address described in the delivery slip data (confirmation items). 2). If the transmission destination determination unit 25 determines that they do not match, the transmission of the document data is not executed. Therefore, erroneous transmission of document data can be prevented. In addition, the destination of the transmission destination described in the delivery slip is described by a serial number. For this reason, even if an outsider obtains and analyzes the delivery slip, the e-mail address of the transmission destination cannot be known. As a result, it is possible to prevent an outsider from directly inputting a destination address to another facsimile apparatus that does not use a delivery slip and transmitting a confidential document or the like. On the other hand, even when an outsider makes a delivery slip by himself / herself, the serial number corresponding to the transmission destination is not known, and therefore the use of a facsimile apparatus using the delivery slip created by himself / herself can be prevented.

Embodiment 3
A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of an Internet FAX system including the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment. The facsimile transmission permission apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 11 includes a number determination unit 31 and a permission delivery form detection unit 32 instead of the transmission destination determination unit 25. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 2 in FIG. 4, the description thereof is omitted.

  The sheet number determination unit 31 acquires the number of documents read by the scanner unit 102. Then, the number determination unit 31 compares the number of originals acquired in the first reading process and the second reading process. The permission delivery slip detection unit 32 detects whether or not the permission delivery slip data is attached to the document data.

  Next, an operation example of Internet FAX according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The operation of the flowchart of FIG. 12 includes the operation of creating and printing a permission delivery slip (step S601) in addition to the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, and scanning the permission delivery slip at the end of the transmission document. Operation (second reading processing operation) (step S602). Here, the first reading process means a scanning operation in step S309 in FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12, the operations in steps S301 to S309 are the same as the operations in the second embodiment described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The sender attaches a delivery slip to the top of the document and causes the scanner unit 102 to scan these documents (step S309). That is, the scanner unit 102 executes the first reading process.

  The scanned transmission data is sent to the electronic mail transfer apparatus 300 by the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101. The electronic mail transfer apparatus 300 converts the transmission data into the Internet FAX transmission control apparatus based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 400. The Internet FAX transmission control device 400 that has received the transmission data executes creation and printing of a permission delivery slip (step S601).

  Here, the creation and printing operation of the permission delivery slip will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 receives transmission data by Internet FAX (step S701). When the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 receives the transmission data, the information analysis unit 11 confirms whether or not the first page image of the transmission data is a delivery slip (confirmation item 1) (step S702). If the first page image is a delivery slip, the information analysis unit 11 performs code analysis on the delivery slip and acquires the creation time (step S703). At this time, the sheet number determination unit 31 acquires and stores the number of documents (step S704). Then, the information analysis unit 11 sends the acquired creation time to the system control unit 22. The system control unit 22 sends the received creation time to the time determination unit 12.

  The time determination unit 12 compares the current time with the creation time to determine whether or not the current time is within the valid period (confirmation item 3) (step S705). If it is within the valid period, the time determination unit 12 transmits the determination result to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 confirms that the confirmation items 1 and 3 are OK, and instructs the sending slip creation unit 422 to create a permission sending slip (step S706). The printer unit 103 then prints the permission delivery form data (step S707). On the other hand, if at least one of the confirmation items 1 and 3 is determined to be NG, a permission delivery slip is not created. In this case, a determination result notification is created (step S708), and the determination result notification is transmitted to the MFP 100 that is the transmission source (step S709).

  When the permission delivery slip data is printed, the sender attaches the permission delivery slip to the end of the document read in the first reading process. On the other hand, the sender attaches the previously created delivery slip to the top of the document. Then, the scanner unit 102 scans these documents (step S602). That is, the scanner unit 102 executes the second reading process. Then, the sender executes Internet FAX transmission (step S310).

  The scanned transmission data is sent to the electronic mail transfer apparatus 300 by the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101. The electronic mail transfer apparatus 300 converts the transmission data into the Internet FAX transmission control apparatus based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 400 (step S311). The Internet FAX transmission control device 400 that has received the transmission data executes an Internet FAX transmission control process (step S603).

  Here, the operation of the Internet FAX transmission control process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 receives transmission data (step S801). The permission delivery slip detection unit 32 detects whether the image data of the first page of the transmission data is the delivery slip data and whether the image data of the last page is the permission delivery slip data (Confirmation item 4). (Step S802). When the delivery slip data and the permission delivery slip data are attached, the permission delivery slip detection unit 32 sends the detection result (confirmation item 4OK) to the system control unit 22.

  Next, the number determination unit 31 acquires the number of documents in the second reading process (step S803). Then, the sheet number determination unit 31 determines whether or not the number of documents in the first reading process and the second reading process matches (confirmation item 5) (step S804). If the number of originals in the first reading process and the second reading process match, the number determination unit 31 sends the determination result (confirmation item 5 OK) to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 confirms that the confirmation items 4 and 5 are OK, and sets the determination result to OK (step S805). The system control unit 22 sends the transmission data to the delivery slip deletion unit 23. The sending slip deleting unit 23 deletes the sending slip data and the permission sending slip data from the transmission data (step S806). The sending slip deletion unit 23 sends the transmission data updated by the deletion process to the system control unit 22.

  The system control unit 22 sends the updated transmission data sent from the delivery slip deletion unit 23 to the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21. Then, the system control unit 22 instructs the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 to transmit the updated transmission data to the transmission destination of the transmission data via the Internet FAX. At this time, the system control unit 22 stores the current time as the transmission time.

  The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 transmits the updated transmission data to the transmission destination by Internet FAX (Step S807). Through this transmission process, the original data is actually sent to the transmission destination. The system control unit 22 sends the determination result OK, the confirmation items 4 and 5 are OK, the transmission source email address of the transmission data, the transmission destination email address of the transmission data, and the transmission time to the determination result notification creation unit 24. Then, the determination result notification creation unit 24 creates a determination result notification (step S808). The determination result notification is sent to the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 via the system control unit 22. The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 transmits the determination result notification to the MFP 100 that is the transmission data transmission source by Internet FAX (step S809).

  On the other hand, when the determination of at least one of confirmation items 4 and 5 is NG, the system control unit 22 sets the determination result to NG (step S810). The system control unit 22 instructs the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 to discard the transmission data. The Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 21 discards the transmission data (step S811). Thereafter, a determination result notification is created (step S808), and the determination result notification is transmitted to the MFP 100 that is the transmission source (step S809).

  When the Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 101 receives the determination result notification, the printer unit 103 of the multifunction peripheral 100 prints the received data (determination result notification). The sender confirms that the determination result is OK and ends the transmission work (step S313).

  As described above, the facsimile transmission permission apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment creates a permission delivery slip when the transmission process (first reading process) is executed within the valid period of the delivery slip. In the transmission process (second reading process), the system control unit 22 (transmission determination unit 13) permits transmission of the Internet FAX when the delivery form data and permission delivery form data are attached to the document data. To do. Therefore, the reading process in the scanner unit 102 must be performed twice. Further, in the second reading process, the document data is not transmitted unless a permission delivery slip is attached in addition to the delivery slip data. That is, an operation that is more complicated than a normal transmission operation is required. As a result, outsiders who do not know the transmission process cannot use the facsimile machine. Note that the information analysis unit 11 may perform the detection of the permission delivery slip.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the number determination unit 31 compares the number of documents in the first reading process and the second reading process. For this reason, it is possible to detect leakage of a transmission document, attachment of another document, and the like. As a result, it is possible to prevent an error in attaching a transmission document.

  Here, the above-described facsimile transmission permission device 3 performs transmission determination based on the presence or absence of the delivery slip data and the permission delivery slip data by the permission delivery slip detection unit 32 in the second reading process. It is not limited. For example, the transmission destination determination unit 25 described in the second embodiment may be further provided, and the delivery form creation unit 422 may add the destination of the transmission destination to the delivery form for permission. Then, the transmission destination determination unit 25 determines whether the destination added to the permission delivery slip matches the destination input to the multi-function device 100, thereby preventing erroneous transmission.

  Further, the sending slip creation unit 422 may not only add time information (first time information) to the sending slip but also add time information (second time information) to the permission sending slip. Thereby, the time determination part 12 can determine whether the 2nd reading process which reads the delivery slip for permission is performed within the expiration date. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the effect of preventing outsiders from using the facsimile apparatus.

  Of course, regardless of the attachment of the delivery slip or the time information of the delivery slip, the delivery slip creation unit 422 creates the permission delivery slip by the first reading process, and the permission delivery slip detection unit 32 in the second reading process The permission delivery slip may be detected. That is, the time determination unit 12 may not be provided, and the transmission determination unit 13 may determine whether or not the document data can be transmitted based only on whether or not the permission delivery slip is attached. Even with such a configuration, the transmission process is complicated, and thus an effect of preventing the use of an outsider's facsimile apparatus can be obtained.

  Specifically, when at least one of document data and delivery form data created in the first reading process is detected, the delivery form creation unit 422 creates a permission delivery form. Then, the sender attaches the permission delivery slip to the document and executes the second reading process. The permission delivery slip detection unit 32 detects whether permission delivery slip data is attached in the second reading process. The transmission determination unit 13 determines that the document data can be transmitted when the permission delivery slip data is detected, and determines that the document data is prohibited to be transmitted when the permission delivery slip data is not detected.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the delivery slip with the time information attached is attached to the document, but the time information may be attached to the document. That is, the present invention can be applied even to a facsimile apparatus that does not attach a delivery slip in a transmission operation.

  Further, the facsimile transmission permission device may be arranged in the multifunction device. Furthermore, although the second and third embodiments have been described using the Internet FAX, the present invention can also be implemented in a normal facsimile machine.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
Time for performing time determination based on the information analysis means for acquiring the first time information attached to at least one of the document data and the sending slip data, and the transmission time of the document data and the first time information A facsimile transmission permission apparatus comprising: a determination unit; and a transmission determination unit that determines whether the document data can be transmitted based on a determination result of the time determination unit.

(Appendix 2)
The facsimile transmission permission device according to attachment 1, wherein the time information is a creation time of at least one of the document data and the delivery form data.

(Appendix 3)
The facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the time determination unit determines whether or not the transmission time is within a predetermined time from the first time information.

(Appendix 4)
When the time determination means determines that the document data can be transmitted based on the transmission time of the document data and the first time information, a delivery slip creation means for creating a permission delivery slip; A delivery slip detection means for detecting whether or not the permission delivery slip is attached to the manuscript, wherein the transmission determination means includes a determination result of the time determination means and a detection result of the delivery slip detection means. The facsimile transmission permitting apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, which determines whether the document data can be transmitted based on

(Appendix 5)
The sending slip creation means attaches second time information to the permission sending slip, and the information analysis means further acquires the second time information attached to the permission sending slip, and the time The facsimile transmission permission device according to appendix 4, wherein the determination unit performs time determination based on the transmission time, the first time information, and the second time information.

(Appendix 6)
The sending slip creation means attaches the number information of the manuscript to the permission sending slip, and the information analysis means further acquires the number information of the manuscript attached to the permission sending slip, and transmits the transmission. The determination unit determines whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on the determination result of the time determination unit, the detection result of the delivery slip detection unit, and the number-of-documents information. Or the facsimile transmission permission apparatus of 5.

(Appendix 7)
The information analysis means further acquires transmission destination information attached to at least one of the document data and the sending slip data, and the transmission determination means further includes the transmission destination information based on the transmission destination information. The facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, which determines whether or not document data can be transmitted.

(Appendix 8)
The facsimile transmission permitting apparatus according to appendix 7, wherein the transmission destination information is information that is associated with a transmission destination and that can identify the transmission destination.

(Appendix 9)
The facsimile transmission permission device according to any one of appendices 1 to 8, a reading unit that reads a document as image data and generates the document data, and the transmission determination unit determines that the document data can be transmitted. And a transmission unit for transmitting the document data.

(Appendix 10)
When at least one of the document data and the delivery slip data is detected, a delivery slip creation means for creating a permission delivery slip, and a delivery slip detection means for detecting whether or not the permission delivery slip is attached to the document. And a transmission determination unit that determines whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on a detection result of the delivery form detection unit.

(Appendix 11)
It further comprises information analysis means for obtaining information on the number of originals attached to the permission delivery slip, wherein the delivery slip creation means attaches the number information of the originals to the permission delivery slip, and the transmission determination means 11. The facsimile transmission permission device according to appendix 10, wherein it is determined whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on a detection result of the delivery form detection unit and the number information of the documents.

(Appendix 12)
It further comprises information analysis means for acquiring transmission destination information attached to at least one of the document data and the permission delivery form data, and the transmission determination means includes a detection result of the delivery form detection means, and the transmission Item 15. The facsimile transmission permission device according to appendix 10, wherein it is determined whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on the previous information.

(Appendix 13)
Time for performing time determination based on an information analysis step of acquiring first time information attached to at least one of the document data and the sending slip data, and the transmission time of the document data and the first time information A facsimile transmission permission method comprising: a determination step; and a transmission determination step of determining whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on a determination result of the time determination means.

(Appendix 14)
14. The facsimile transmission permission method according to appendix 13, wherein the time information is a creation time of at least one of the document data and the delivery form data.

(Appendix 15)
15. The facsimile transmission permission method according to appendix 13 or 14, wherein the time determination step determines whether or not the transmission time is within a predetermined time from the first time information.

(Appendix 16)
When the time determination step determines that the document data can be transmitted based on the transmission time of the document data and the first time information, a delivery slip creation step of creating a permission delivery slip; A delivery slip detection step for detecting whether or not the permission delivery slip is attached to the document, wherein the transmission determination step includes a determination result of the time determination step and a detection result of the delivery slip detection step. The facsimile transmission permission method according to any one of appendices 13 to 15, wherein the document data is determined based on whether or not the document data can be transmitted.

(Appendix 17)
The sending slip creation step attaches second time information to the permission sending slip, and the information analysis step further acquires the second time information attached to the permission sending slip, and the time The facsimile transmission permission method according to supplementary note 16, wherein the determination step performs time determination based on the transmission time, the first time information, and the second time information.

(Appendix 18)
The sending slip creation step attaches the number information of the manuscript to the permission sending slip, and the information analysis step further acquires the number information of the manuscript attached to the permission sending slip, and transmits the transmission. The determination step determines whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on the determination result of the time determination step, the detection result of the delivery slip detection step, and the number-of-documents information. Or the facsimile transmission permission method according to 17.

(Appendix 19)
The information analysis step further acquires transmission destination information attached to at least one of the document data and the sending slip data, and the transmission determination step further includes the transmission destination information based on the transmission destination information. The facsimile transmission permission method according to any one of appendices 13 to 18, which determines whether or not document data can be transmitted.

(Appendix 20)
The facsimile transmission permission method according to appendix 19, wherein the transmission destination information is information that is associated with a transmission destination and that can identify the transmission destination.

(Appendix 21)
When at least one of the document data and the sending slip data is detected, a sending slip creating step for creating a permission sending slip and a sending slip detecting step for detecting whether or not the permission sending slip is attached to the manuscript And a transmission determination step of determining whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on a detection result of the delivery slip detection step.

(Appendix 22)
The information analysis step further includes obtaining information on the number of documents attached to the permission delivery slip, and the sending slip creation step attaches the number information of the document to the permission delivery slip, and the transmission determination step. 25. The facsimile transmission permission method according to appendix 21, wherein it is determined whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on the detection result of the delivery slip detection step and the number information of the document.

(Appendix 23)
An information analysis step of acquiring information on a transmission destination attached to at least one of the document data and the delivery slip data, wherein the transmission determination step includes a detection result of the delivery slip detection step, a transmission destination The facsimile transmission permission method according to attachment 21, wherein it is determined whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on the information.

1-3 Facsimile transmission permission device 11 Information analysis unit 12 Time determination unit 13 Transmission determination unit 21 Internet FAX transmission / reception unit 22 System control unit 23 Sending slip deletion unit 24 Determination result notification generation unit 25 Destination determination unit 31 Number determination unit 32 Permit Sending slip detection unit 90, 100 MFP 91, 101 Transmission / reception unit (Internet FAX transmission / reception unit)
92, 102 Scanner unit 103 Printer unit 200 Terminal PC
201 Web browser unit 300 E-mail transfer device 301 E-mail transmission / reception unit 302 E-mail transfer determination unit 303 E-mail transfer setting reception unit 304 Forwarded mail address information storage unit 400 Internet FAX transmission control device 401 Destination information storage unit 420 System setting unit 421 System setting reception unit 422 Sending slip creation unit

Claims (10)

Information analysis means for obtaining first time information attached to at least one of the document data and the sending slip data;
Time determination means for performing time determination based on the transmission time of the document data and the first time information;
A transmission determination unit that determines whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on a determination result of the time determination unit;
A facsimile transmission permission device comprising:   The facsimile transmission permitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time information is a creation time of at least one of the document data and the delivery form data.   The facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the time determination unit determines whether or not the transmission time is within a predetermined time from the first time information. When the time determination means determines that the document data can be transmitted based on the transmission time of the document data and the first time information, a delivery slip creation means for creating a permission delivery slip;
A delivery slip detection means for detecting whether or not the permission delivery slip is attached to the manuscript;
The transmission determination unit determines whether the document data can be transmitted based on a determination result of the time determination unit and a detection result of the delivery slip detection unit. The facsimile transmission permission device according to one item. The sending slip creation means attaches second time information to the sending slip for permission,
The information analysis means further acquires the second time information attached to the permission delivery slip,
5. The facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the time determination unit performs time determination based on the transmission time, the first time information, and the second time information. The sending slip creation means attaches the number information of the manuscript to the permission sending slip,
The information analysis means further obtains information on the number of documents attached to the permission delivery slip;
The transmission determination unit determines whether the document data can be transmitted based on the determination result of the time determination unit, the detection result of the delivery slip detection unit, and the number-of-documents information. The facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to claim 4 or 5. The information analysis means further obtains information on a transmission destination attached to at least one of the document data and the sending slip data;
The facsimile transmission permission device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission determination unit further determines whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on the transmission destination information.   The facsimile transmission permission apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the transmission destination information is information that is associated with a transmission destination and that can identify the transmission destination. A facsimile transmission permission device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Reading means for reading a document as image data and generating the document data;
A transmission unit that transmits the document data when the transmission determination unit determines that the document data can be transmitted;
A facsimile machine comprising An information analysis step for obtaining first time information attached to at least one of the document data and the sending slip data;
A time determination step for performing time determination based on the transmission time of the document data and the first time information;
A transmission determination step for determining whether or not the document data can be transmitted based on a determination result of the time determination means;
A facsimile transmission permission method comprising:

Images